EP3499003A1 - A system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

A system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3499003A1
EP3499003A1 EP17207260.5A EP17207260A EP3499003A1 EP 3499003 A1 EP3499003 A1 EP 3499003A1 EP 17207260 A EP17207260 A EP 17207260A EP 3499003 A1 EP3499003 A1 EP 3499003A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
engine
coolant
compressor
evaporator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP17207260.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3499003B1 (en
Inventor
Federica Bettoja
Walter Ferraris
Fausto DI SCIULLO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Centro Ricerche Fiat SCpA
Original Assignee
Centro Ricerche Fiat SCpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Centro Ricerche Fiat SCpA filed Critical Centro Ricerche Fiat SCpA
Priority to EP17207260.5A priority Critical patent/EP3499003B1/en
Priority to US16/156,280 priority patent/US10711740B2/en
Publication of EP3499003A1 publication Critical patent/EP3499003A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3499003B1 publication Critical patent/EP3499003B1/en
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M31/00—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M31/20—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture for cooling
    • F02M31/205—Control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00271—HVAC devices specially adapted for particular vehicle parts or components and being connected to the vehicle HVAC unit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00321—Heat exchangers for air-conditioning devices
    • B60H1/00328—Heat exchangers for air-conditioning devices of the liquid-air type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
    • B60H1/00735—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
    • B60H1/00764—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models the input being a vehicle driving condition, e.g. speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/32—Cooling devices
    • B60H1/3202—Cooling devices using evaporation, i.e. not including a compressor, e.g. involving fuel or water evaporation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/32—Cooling devices
    • B60H1/3204—Cooling devices using compression
    • B60H1/3227—Cooling devices using compression characterised by the arrangement or the type of heat exchanger, e.g. condenser, evaporator
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/32—Cooling devices
    • B60H1/3204—Cooling devices using compression
    • B60H1/323—Cooling devices using compression characterised by comprising auxiliary or multiple systems, e.g. plurality of evaporators, or by involving auxiliary cooling devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P3/00—Liquid cooling
    • F01P3/12—Arrangements for cooling other engine or machine parts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B29/00—Engines characterised by provision for charging or scavenging not provided for in groups F02B25/00, F02B27/00 or F02B33/00 - F02B39/00; Details thereof
    • F02B29/04—Cooling of air intake supply
    • F02B29/0406—Layout of the intake air cooling or coolant circuit
    • F02B29/0412—Multiple heat exchangers arranged in parallel or in series
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B29/00—Engines characterised by provision for charging or scavenging not provided for in groups F02B25/00, F02B27/00 or F02B33/00 - F02B39/00; Details thereof
    • F02B29/04—Cooling of air intake supply
    • F02B29/0406—Layout of the intake air cooling or coolant circuit
    • F02B29/0437—Liquid cooled heat exchangers
    • F02B29/0443—Layout of the coolant or refrigerant circuit
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B37/00—Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00271—HVAC devices specially adapted for particular vehicle parts or components and being connected to the vehicle HVAC unit
    • B60H2001/003—Component temperature regulation using an air flow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/32—Cooling devices
    • B60H2001/3269—Cooling devices output of a control signal
    • B60H2001/327—Cooling devices output of a control signal related to a compressing unit
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P2060/00—Cooling circuits using auxiliaries
    • F01P2060/02—Intercooler
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P9/00—Cooling having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P7/00
    • F01P9/06—Cooling having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P7/00 by use of refrigerating apparatus, e.g. of compressor or absorber type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
    • F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
    • F28D2021/008—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for vehicles
    • F28D2021/0085—Evaporators
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to systems for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle, of the type comprising:
  • the object of the invention is that of further improving the above-mentioned known systems, in particular with reference to an improved control of the system, an increase in its efficiency and, in particular, also with reference to a reduction in the fuel consumption of the engine.
  • the invention relates to a system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle, comprising:
  • said first expansion valve and said second expansion valve are electronically-controlled expansion valves
  • said electronic controller is configured to control both activation of said coolant compressor, and said first and second expansion valves according to signals indicating both the request for cooling the air fed to the engine, and the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle.
  • numeral 1 indicates - in its entirety - a system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle.
  • the internal combustion engine is represented in the diagram of Figure 1 by one of its cylinders, which is indicated by C.
  • the cylinder C is associated with at least one intake valve 2, which controls the supply of air into the cylinder C through an air feed duct 3.
  • the duct 3 is provided with an air filter F, through which the ambient air is drawn into the duct 3.
  • a debimeter D and a supercharging compressor SC are arranged in succession, the compressor including a rotor that is driven into rotation by a turbine T, which is actuated, according to a conventional art, by a flow of exhaust gases EG, which runs along the exhaust duct EC.
  • a heat exchanger, or intercooler, IC is interposed, downstream of the air compressor SC, which, according to a conventional art, uses the coolant circulating in the cooling circuit of the engine (not illustrated) to cool the air flow fed by the air compressor SC.
  • an evaporator E2 is arranged, downstream of the intercooler IC, in which coolant circulates in an air conditioning circuit of which the motor-vehicle is equipped.
  • the reference number 4 indicates a throttle valve, interposed in the feed duct 3 downstream of the evaporator E2.
  • the reference number 5 indicates a valve interposed in a duct for recirculating the feed air.
  • This recirculation duct includes a portion 6 that originates from the duct 3, at a point downstream of the intercooler IC and upstream of the evaporator E2, and that terminates in the valve 5, and a second portion 7 that starts from the valve 5 and terminates in the duct 3, upstream of the compressor SC.
  • the valve 5 receives, via a duct 8, a pressure signal of the feed air immediately upstream of the cylinder C, and opens to balance the pressure values upstream and downstream of the compressor SC, and is used to control and/or limit the maximum pressure exerted by the turbocompressor during the release steps of the accelerator, or rather, when the air introduced into the intake manifolds is greater than the amount required by the engine itself.
  • the reference number 3 schematically indicates the air feed duct, in which the air filter F, the debimeter D, the air compressor SC, the intercooler IC and the evaporator E2 are interposed in series.
  • Figure 2 also schematically shows the duct for exhaust gases EC, which originates from the engine exhaust manifold (indicated by the reference "ENG").
  • the exhaust duct EC downstream of the engine ENG, the devices for treating the exhaust gases are placed, indicated as a whole by the reference EGT, which can vary according to the type of vehicle and the type of engine (for example, gasoline engine or diesel engine).
  • the reference A/C indicates - in its entirety - the air conditioning system of which the motor-vehicle is equipped.
  • the A/C system comprises a compressor CO for the coolant and a condenser CND that receives the coolant from the compressor CO.
  • the reference TXV1 indicates a first expansion valve, for example, a thermostatic valve or an electronically-controlled valve, which receives condensed fluid from the condenser CND.
  • the expanded fluid leaving the first expansion valve TXV1 passes through a main evaporator E1 for refrigerating an airflow directed towards the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle.
  • the fluid leaving the evaporator E1 returns through the first expansion valve TXV1 towards the compressor CO.
  • the A/C air cooling system also comprises an inner heat exchanger IHX in which the flow of coolant that goes from the condenser CND to the first expansion valve TXV1 enters into a heat exchange relationship with the flow of fluid returning from the main evaporator E1 towards the compressor CO.
  • the A/C system comprises a second evaporator E2, which is interposed in the duct for feeding air to the engine and which is connected to the coolant circuit in parallel with the main evaporator E1.
  • a second expansion valve TXV2 is interposed in the connection between the condenser CND and the auxiliary evaporator E2.
  • the inner heat exchanger IHX is connected in such a way that the fluid coming from the condenser CND passes through the inner heat exchanger IHX and then divides at the point P into two lines directed towards the two expansion valves TXV1 and TXV2, and towards the two evaporators E1, E2.
  • Activation of the coolant compressor CO is controlled by an electronic controller ECU based on a series of signals S1, S2, ..., Si.
  • activation can be controlled, for example, in that the compressor CO has a rotating shaft, which is connected in rotation with the shaft of the internal combustion engine ENG, with the interposition of an electrically-operated friction clutch (not shown).
  • the controller ECU inserts and disengages this friction clutch to cause activation and deactivation of the coolant compressor CO.
  • the controller ECU controls the activation of the coolant compressor CO, both as a function of the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and as a function of the request for cooling the air for feeding the engine
  • the signals sent to the controller ECU include a signal indicating a manual operation of the air conditioning system A/C by the driver, a signal indicating the air temperature required by the driver, and a signal indicating the current air temperature in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle.
  • the system comprises a sensor S of the air feed temperature ( Figure 1 ), which sends a signal indicating this value to the controller ECU.
  • the electronic controller ECU receives signals indicating the operating conditions of the engine and, in particular, a signal indicating the load of the engine, corresponding to the position of the accelerator pedal, and a signal indicating the rotational speed of the engine.
  • the electronic controller ECU takes into account, at all times, the request for cooling the air fed to the engine and the request for cooling the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, always favoring the thermal load which has the highest cooling requirement among the passenger compartment and the intake air.
  • the electronic controller ECU also controls the activation of the coolant compressor CO in order to favor low fuel consumption.
  • the system is configured to enable the feeding of coolant through the auxiliary evaporator E2 only when the engine load is below a predetermined threshold, that is, only during the release steps of the accelerator pedal, when the impact on fuel consumption is lower.
  • said first expansion valve TXV1 and said second expansion valve TXV2 are electronically-controlled expansion valves, and said electronic controller ECU is configured to control both the activation of said compressor coolant CO, and said first and second expansion valves TXV1, TXV2, according to signals indicating both the request for cooling the air fed to the engine, and the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, in such a way that the system can operate selectively in the following ways:
  • the system according to the invention allows, on one hand, satisfaction of the need for greater cooling of the air fed to the engine, which occurs in supercharged engines, but, on the other hand, it ensures a high efficiency of the system in all engine operating conditions and allows the required results to be obtained without causing an appreciable increase in fuel consumption.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle comprises a heat exchanger (IC) arranged along a duct (3) for feeding air, downstream of a supercharging compressor (SC), to cool a flow of air fed by the air compressor (SC), by means of a fluid that circulates in a cooling circuit of the engine. The system also comprises an evaporator (E2), interposed in the air feed duct (3) downstream of the heat exchanger (IC), to further cool the air flow by means of a coolant that circulates in an air conditioning circuit (A/C) of the motor-vehicle. The air conditioning (A/C) circuit of the motor-vehicle comprises a coolant compressor (CO) and an electronic controller (ECU) configured to control the activation of the coolant compressor (CO), depending on the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and the request for cooling the air fed to the engine. In particular the electronic controller (ECU) is configured to enable the coolant compressor (CO) to be activated only when the engine load is below a certain threshold.

Description

    Field of the invention
  • The present invention relates to systems for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle, of the type comprising:
    • a duct for feeding air to the engine,
    • an air compressor for the air fed to the engine, arranged along said feed duct, and driven by a turbine, which is in turn driven by a flow of exhaust gases of the engine,
    • a heat exchanger arranged along said air feed duct, downstream of the air compressor, to cool a flow of supercharged air from the compressor by means of a coolant in a cooling circuit of the engine.
    Prior art
  • In supercharged internal combustion engines, the air compressed in the aforesaid supercharging compressor increases in temperature, leading to a reduction in the filling efficiency of the engine cylinders and, in the case of gasoline engines, increasing the tendency to detonation. The heat exchanger, or "intercooler", interposed in the air feed duct, downstream of the compressor, has the purpose of overcoming this drawback. The documents JP S6346627 U and EP 2 098 700 A2 disclose systems of the type indicated above wherein an evaporator is also interposed in the air feed duct, downstream of the aforementioned heat exchanger, to further cool the air flow by means of a coolant that circulates in an air conditioning circuit of the motor-vehicle.
    • Object of the invention
  • The object of the invention is that of further improving the above-mentioned known systems, in particular with reference to an improved control of the system, an increase in its efficiency and, in particular, also with reference to a reduction in the fuel consumption of the engine.
    • Summary of the invention
  • In view of achieving the aforesaid object, the invention relates to a system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle, comprising:
    • a duct for feeding air to the engine,
    • an air compressor for the air fed to the engine, arranged along said feed duct, and driven by a turbine, which is in turn driven by a flow of exhaust gases of the engine,
    • a heat exchanger arranged along said air feed duct, downstream of the air compressor, to cool a flow of air fed by the compressor by means of a coolant that circulates in a cooling circuit of the engine.
    • an evaporator, interposed in the air feed duct, downstream of the heat exchanger, to further cool the air flow by means of a coolant that circulates in an air conditioning circuit of the motor-vehicle.
    wherein said air conditioning circuit of the motor-vehicle comprises:
    • a coolant compressor,
    • a condenser, which receives the coolant from the coolant compressor,
    • a first expansion valve, which receives condensed fluid from said condenser,
    • a main evaporator, which is traversed by fluid coming from the first expansion valve, for cooling a flow of air directed towards the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, the outlet for the coolant of said evaporator being connected to the inlet of the coolant compressor,
    • an inner heat exchanger, within which the flow of coolant that goes from the condenser to the first expansion valve enters into a heat exchange relationship with the flow of fluid that goes from the main evaporator to the compressor of the coolant,
    • an auxiliary evaporator, which constitutes the aforesaid evaporator interposed in the duct for feeding air to the engine, the auxiliary evaporator being connected in parallel with the main evaporator within said air cooling circuit,
    • a second expansion valve interposed between said condenser and the auxiliary evaporator,
    • said inner heat exchanger being connected in such a way that the fluid coming from the condenser traverses said inner heat exchanger, then divides into two lines directed towards the two expansion valves, while the flows coming out from the two evaporators converge into a single flow before passing through the inner heat exchanger, and
    • said system further comprising an electronic controller configured to control the activation of the coolant compressor, both as a function of the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and as a function of the request for cooling the air fed to the engine,
    • said electronic controller being further configured to enable the activation of said coolant compressor only when the engine load is below a predetermined threshold.
  • In a preferred embodiment, said first expansion valve and said second expansion valve are electronically-controlled expansion valves, and said electronic controller is configured to control both activation of said coolant compressor, and said first and second expansion valves according to signals indicating both the request for cooling the air fed to the engine, and the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle. The system can thus operate selectively in any of the following ways:
    • with the coolant compressor in an active condition, with first and second expansion valves both opened, so as to activate both the main evaporator for cooling the air in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and the auxiliary evaporator for additional cooling of the air fed to the engine,
    • with the coolant compressor in an active condition, with first expansion valve opened and second expansion valve closed, so that only the main evaporator for cooling the air in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle is activated, while the auxiliary evaporator is not activated,
    • with the compressor of the coolant in an active condition, with the first expansion valve closed and the second expansion valve opened, so that only the auxiliary evaporator is active, while the main evaporator is not activated, and
    • with the coolant compressor deactivated, so that both evaporators are inactive.
    Detailed description of the invention
  • Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
    • Figure 1 shows a diagram of a system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle, according to the invention, and
    • Figure 2 is an additional block diagram of an embodiment of the system according to the invention.
  • In the drawings, numeral 1 indicates - in its entirety - a system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle. The internal combustion engine is represented in the diagram of Figure 1 by one of its cylinders, which is indicated by C. The cylinder C is associated with at least one intake valve 2, which controls the supply of air into the cylinder C through an air feed duct 3. At its upstream end, the duct 3 is provided with an air filter F, through which the ambient air is drawn into the duct 3. Along the duct 3, downstream of the filter F, a debimeter D and a supercharging compressor SC are arranged in succession, the compressor including a rotor that is driven into rotation by a turbine T, which is actuated, according to a conventional art, by a flow of exhaust gases EG, which runs along the exhaust duct EC.
  • Still along the duct 3 for feeding air to the engine, a heat exchanger, or intercooler, IC is interposed, downstream of the air compressor SC, which, according to a conventional art, uses the coolant circulating in the cooling circuit of the engine (not illustrated) to cool the air flow fed by the air compressor SC.
  • Still along the duct 3 for feeding air to the engine, an evaporator E2 is arranged, downstream of the intercooler IC, in which coolant circulates in an air conditioning circuit of which the motor-vehicle is equipped.
  • The reference number 4 indicates a throttle valve, interposed in the feed duct 3 downstream of the evaporator E2.
  • The reference number 5 indicates a valve interposed in a duct for recirculating the feed air. This recirculation duct includes a portion 6 that originates from the duct 3, at a point downstream of the intercooler IC and upstream of the evaporator E2, and that terminates in the valve 5, and a second portion 7 that starts from the valve 5 and terminates in the duct 3, upstream of the compressor SC. The valve 5 receives, via a duct 8, a pressure signal of the feed air immediately upstream of the cylinder C, and opens to balance the pressure values upstream and downstream of the compressor SC, and is used to control and/or limit the maximum pressure exerted by the turbocompressor during the release steps of the accelerator, or rather, when the air introduced into the intake manifolds is greater than the amount required by the engine itself.
  • In Figure 2, the reference number 3 schematically indicates the air feed duct, in which the air filter F, the debimeter D, the air compressor SC, the intercooler IC and the evaporator E2 are interposed in series. Figure 2 also schematically shows the duct for exhaust gases EC, which originates from the engine exhaust manifold (indicated by the reference "ENG"). In the exhaust duct EC, downstream of the engine ENG, the devices for treating the exhaust gases are placed, indicated as a whole by the reference EGT, which can vary according to the type of vehicle and the type of engine (for example, gasoline engine or diesel engine).
  • The reference A/C indicates - in its entirety - the air conditioning system of which the motor-vehicle is equipped.
  • The A/C system comprises a compressor CO for the coolant and a condenser CND that receives the coolant from the compressor CO.
  • The reference TXV1 indicates a first expansion valve, for example, a thermostatic valve or an electronically-controlled valve, which receives condensed fluid from the condenser CND. The expanded fluid leaving the first expansion valve TXV1 passes through a main evaporator E1 for refrigerating an airflow directed towards the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle. The fluid leaving the evaporator E1 returns through the first expansion valve TXV1 towards the compressor CO.
  • In the system according to the invention, the A/C air cooling system also comprises an inner heat exchanger IHX in which the flow of coolant that goes from the condenser CND to the first expansion valve TXV1 enters into a heat exchange relationship with the flow of fluid returning from the main evaporator E1 towards the compressor CO.
  • As already indicated above, the A/C system comprises a second evaporator E2, which is interposed in the duct for feeding air to the engine and which is connected to the coolant circuit in parallel with the main evaporator E1. A second expansion valve TXV2 is interposed in the connection between the condenser CND and the auxiliary evaporator E2.
  • As can be seen in Figure 2, the inner heat exchanger IHX is connected in such a way that the fluid coming from the condenser CND passes through the inner heat exchanger IHX and then divides at the point P into two lines directed towards the two expansion valves TXV1 and TXV2, and towards the two evaporators E1, E2. In the same way, the flows leaving the two evaporators E1, E2, after having passed through the expansion valves TXV1, TXV2, flow together into a point Q and then cross the inner heat exchanger IHX, wherein they enter into a heat exchange relationship with the flow coming from the condenser CND.
  • All the components of the A/C system are not illustrated in detail here, as they can be made in any known manner.
  • Activation of the coolant compressor CO is controlled by an electronic controller ECU based on a series of signals S1, S2, ..., Si. According to a conventional art, activation can be controlled, for example, in that the compressor CO has a rotating shaft, which is connected in rotation with the shaft of the internal combustion engine ENG, with the interposition of an electrically-operated friction clutch (not shown). The controller ECU inserts and disengages this friction clutch to cause activation and deactivation of the coolant compressor CO.
  • The controller ECU controls the activation of the coolant compressor CO, both as a function of the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and as a function of the request for cooling the air for feeding the engine, To this end, the signals sent to the controller ECU include a signal indicating a manual operation of the air conditioning system A/C by the driver, a signal indicating the air temperature required by the driver, and a signal indicating the current air temperature in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle. Furthermore, in order to detect the need for cooling the air fed to the engine, the system comprises a sensor S of the air feed temperature (Figure 1), which sends a signal indicating this value to the controller ECU.
  • Finally, the electronic controller ECU receives signals indicating the operating conditions of the engine and, in particular, a signal indicating the load of the engine, corresponding to the position of the accelerator pedal, and a signal indicating the rotational speed of the engine.
  • In the preferred embodiment, the electronic controller ECU takes into account, at all times, the request for cooling the air fed to the engine and the request for cooling the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, always favoring the thermal load which has the highest cooling requirement among the passenger compartment and the intake air.
  • According to the invention, the electronic controller ECU also controls the activation of the coolant compressor CO in order to favor low fuel consumption. To this end, the system is configured to enable the feeding of coolant through the auxiliary evaporator E2 only when the engine load is below a predetermined threshold, that is, only during the release steps of the accelerator pedal, when the impact on fuel consumption is lower.
  • According to another preferred characteristic, said first expansion valve TXV1 and said second expansion valve TXV2 are electronically-controlled expansion valves, and said electronic controller ECU is configured to control both the activation of said compressor coolant CO, and said first and second expansion valves TXV1, TXV2, according to signals indicating both the request for cooling the air fed to the engine, and the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, in such a way that the system can operate selectively in the following ways:
    • with the coolant compressor CO in an active condition, with first and second expansion valves both opened, so as to activate both the main evaporator E1 for cooling the air in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and the auxiliary evaporator E2 for additional cooling of the air fed to the engine,
    • with the coolant compressor CO in an active condition, with first expansion valve TXV1 opened and second expansion valve TXV2 closed, so that only the main evaporator for cooling the air in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle is activated, while the auxiliary evaporator is not activated,
    • with the coolant compressor CO in an active condition, with first expansion valve TXV1 closed and second expansion valve TXV2 opened, so that only the auxiliary evaporator E2 is active, while the main evaporator is not activated, and
    • with the coolant compressor CO deactivated, so that both evaporators E1, E2 are inactive.
  • As is clear from the above description, the system according to the invention allows, on one hand, satisfaction of the need for greater cooling of the air fed to the engine, which occurs in supercharged engines, but, on the other hand, it ensures a high efficiency of the system in all engine operating conditions and allows the required results to be obtained without causing an appreciable increase in fuel consumption.
  • Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the attached claims.

Claims (3)

  1. A system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle, comprising:
    - a duct (3) for feeding air to the engine (ENG),
    - an air compressor (SC) for the air fed to the engine, arranged along said feed duct (3), and driven by a turbine (T), which is in turn driven by a flow of exhaust gases (EG) of the engine,
    - a heat exchanger (IC) arranged along said air feed duct (3), downstream of the air compressor (SC), to cool a flow of air fed by the air compressor (SC), by means of a coolant that circulates in a cooling circuit of the engine.
    - an evaporator (E2), interposed in the air feed duct (3) downstream of the heat exchanger (IC), to further cool the air flow by means of coolant that circulates in an air conditioning circuit (A/C) of the motor-vehicle.
    wherein said air conditioning circuit (A/C) of the motor-vehicle comprises:
    - a coolant compressor (CO),
    - a condenser (CND), which receives the coolant from the coolant compressor (CO),
    - a first expansion valve (TXV1), which receives fluid from said condenser (CND),
    - a main evaporator (E1), which is traversed by fluid coming from the first expansion valve (TXV1), for cooling a flow of air directed towards the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, the outlet for the coolant of said evaporator (E1) being connected to the inlet of the coolant compressor (CO),
    - an inner heat exchanger (IHX), within which the flow of coolant that goes from the condenser (CND) to the first expansion valve (TXV1) enters into a heat exchange relationship with the flow of fluid that goes from the main evaporator (E1) to the coolant compressor (CO),
    - an auxiliary evaporator (E2), which constitutes the aforesaid evaporator interposed in the duct (3) for feeding air to the engine (ENG), the auxiliary evaporator being connected in parallel with the main evaporator (E1) within said air conditioning circuit (A/C),
    - a second expansion valve (TXV2) interposed between said condenser (CND) and the auxiliary evaporator (E2),
    - said inner heat exchanger (IHX) being connected in such a way that the fluid coming from the condenser (CND) through the inner heat exchanger then divides into two lines directed towards the two expansion valves (TXV1, TXV2), while the flows coming out from the two evaporators (E1, E2) converge into a single flow before passing through the inner heat exchanger (IHX), and
    said system also comprising an electronic controller (ECU) configured to control the activation of the coolant compressor (CO), both according to the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and the request for cooling the air fed to the engine, said electronic controller (ECU) in particular being configured to enable activation of said coolant compressor (CO) only when the engine load is below a predetermined threshold.
  2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic controller (ECU) is configured to control the activation of the coolant compressor according to a signal indicating the temperature of the air fed to the engine.
  3. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first expansion valve TXV1 and said second expansion valve TXV2 are electronically-controlled expansion valves, and said electronic controller (ECU) is configured to control both the activation of said coolant compressor CO, and said first and second expansion valves (TXV1, TXV2) according to signals indicating both the request for cooling the air fed to the engine, and the request for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, in such a way that the system can operate selectively in the following ways:
    - with the coolant compressor (CO) in an active condition, with first and second expansion valves (TXV1, TXV2) both opened, so as to activate both the main evaporator (E1) for cooling the air in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle, and the auxiliary evaporator (E2) for additional cooling of the air fed to the engine,
    - with the coolant compressor (CO) in an active condition, with first expansion valve (TXV1) opened and second expansion valve (TXV2) closed, so that only the main evaporator for cooling the air in the passenger compartment of the motor-vehicle is activated, while the auxiliary evaporator (E2) is not activated,
    - with the coolant compressor (CO) in an active condition, with first expansion valve (TXV1) closed and second expansion valve (TXV2) opened, so that only the auxiliary evaporator (E2) is active, while the main evaporator is not activated, and
    - with the coolant compressor (CO) deactivated, so that both evaporators are inactive (E1, E2).
EP17207260.5A 2017-12-14 2017-12-14 A system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine Active EP3499003B1 (en)

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EP17207260.5A EP3499003B1 (en) 2017-12-14 2017-12-14 A system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine
US16/156,280 US10711740B2 (en) 2017-12-14 2018-10-10 System for feeding air to an internal combustion engine

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EP17207260.5A EP3499003B1 (en) 2017-12-14 2017-12-14 A system for feeding air to an internal combustion engine

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US10711740B2 (en) 2020-07-14
US20190186441A1 (en) 2019-06-20

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